Unionized workers for AT&T's southwestern landline division on Wednesday rejected a tentative contract deal struck by union leadership and the company in December.

The contract would have covered about 20,000 employees represented by the Communications Workers of America District 6, which covers Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. Their current contract expires in April.

In a statement, AT&T officials said they were disappointed that the contract had been rejected. CWA officials in Austin didn't respond to a request for comment.